day : 19/02/2013 14 results

(Saturday photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
By Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

As we’ve covered the Beach Drive boat-woes saga, the now-wrecked trimaran’s background has started to emerge, particularly once commenters discussed having seen it advertised online for free.

Finally finding that expired ad led us to the man who built the trimaran that is now in pieces south of the Harbor West Condos. He had not heard about the fate of the Nunga Nunga Nue until we contacted him today.

Bob Sinclair is 85, a mainframe programmer who retired from Boeing in 1992, and who originally built the trimaran himself decades ago: “Originally, I had dreams of building something large enough that I could go anywhere in the world if I wanted to, and small enough that I could sail it myself.”

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West Seattle schools: From Madison to Microsoft, high-tech field trip

February 19, 2013 9:38 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Madison Middle School counselor Lauren Divina shares the photos with news of a recent high-tech field trip:

We had another group of girls on an IGNITE field trip to Microsoft on Feb. 8, this time doing ROBOTICS (Learning with Robotics) conducted by Technically Learning and IGNITE. They were taught how to build and program a robot and again introduced them to professional women with fulfilling careers in STEM fields. Technically Learning is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that enables teachers to inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering and math.

We hope that activities like this allows students to realize that learning and school can be creative and fun.

Opportunities like this hopefully advances their science knowledge and that along with skills development, they may think more critically, make better life decisions through more informed choices, and work more creatively and collaboratively.

SIDE NOTE #1: Microsoft, by the way, was one of many companies represented at Madison’s recent Career Day (as was WSB!), where dozens of professionals came to the school to talk about what they do. It was a terrific morning, and we especially appreciated the chance to answer students’ insightful questions about West Seattle news and how we cover it.

SIDE NOTE #2: Madison’s evening open house/tour event for prospective families is coming up this Thursday, 6:30-8 pm.

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Japanese -American Day of Remembrance at SSCC

February 19, 2013 7:59 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photos by Glenn Gauthier)
A day to remember – and for remembering – at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). From communications director Kevin Maloney:

71 years ago today, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that will never be forgotten. In 1942, Roosevelt signed executive order 9066, which authorized evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, living on the West Coast; most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Today, SSCC hosted a series of events dedicated to that historic day that is known as Japanese-American Day of Remembrance. Above, actress Narea Kang starred in “Within the Silence.” The performance captured a first-hand account of a Seattle family affected by the order. Here’s Kang with SSCC’s May Lukens (left) and Chanda Ishisaka:

In addition to today’s events, South Seattle’s library will feature a collection of photos from the National Archives through the end of the month that captures life in the internment camps during World War II.

At the campus art gallery, you’ll find the exhibit “Meet Me at Higo”:

It includes artifacts from what Maloney explains was “a well-known dime store that served as a community meeting place for the Japanese community in the Seattle area.”

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Update: Electrical fire damages home in North Admiral

February 19, 2013 4:22 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(UPDATED Wednesday morning with fire’s cause)

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
4:22 PM: Fire crews are in the 1700 block of 46th SW in North Admiral on a house-fire call. First units on scene say it’s a possible wall fire in the back of the house.

ADDED 4:31 PM: We have a crew on scene who says some smoke is visible. Per scanner, fire crews have isolated the fire to “the electrical panel area” in the house.

4:38 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. Some units are being dismissed from the scene, as the relatively small fire is in check.

(Photo by Craig Baerwaldt)
No injuries reported.

4:51 PM UPDATE: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand talked with firefighters at the scene. A resident was home when this happened and has been going through the house with fire crews to check everything else. SFD’s investigator is on the way to doublecheck/verify the cause.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY MORNING, 10:12 AM: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore verifies: “The cause of the fire was … a malfunction at the electrical panel. The fire extended to an interior wall. The estimated loss is $25,000.”

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‘Robust’ discussion of surveillance cameras promised for City Council committee meeting tomorrow

February 19, 2013 4:21 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Seattle Police surveillance cameras | West Seattle news

Three weeks after we published first word of the Homeland Security-funded, Seattle Police-managed surveillance cameras installed from Alki to Fauntleroy – and destined for dozens of other spots in the city – the City Council committee that approved them last year will talk about them again. We had first word last week from Councilmember Bruce Harrell that the Public Safety, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee, which he chairs, will talk about them during its meeting tomorrow at 2 pm. Here’s the official reminder sent out today:

Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will have the Seattle Police Department at the committee table this Wednesday to discuss the port security cameras along Seattle’s shoreline. The security cameras are part of a wireless Mesh Network, a network composed of wireless access points and fiber optic cables around the city to provide first responders like SPD, Fire, and the Coast guard access to a dedicated wireless network during emergency responses.

The equipment included in the funding package from the Port Security Grant Program is vital in advancing our goal to make Seattle the most prepared city in America. City departments, along with regional and federal partners determined prevention and protection was not adequately represented in the region. Such prevention, protection and response capabilities is particularly important for public safety to the Port of Seattle, the sixth busiest in the US, Harbor Island, Washington State Ferry terminals, and cruise ship terminals.

At the committee hearing in May of 2012, the committee determined that SPD had made a strong business case for the use of these public safety cameras as part of the municipal mesh network for use only on waterways, port facilities and facing the Puget Sound. Installation of surveillance cameras installed in recreational/residential zones for general surveillance was and will not be supported by the committee.

Before the cameras can go online, the committee will have legislation in place to restrict and regulate its use to protect the public’s privacy and civil liberties.

While cameras were mentioned by SPD in the May 2012 committee briefing, Councilmember Harrell said they were not at the time described as being destined for recreational/residential areas – yet the six that were up in West Seattle by the time WSB readers pointed them out to us in late January are all in such areas.

Mayor McGinn, meantime, first told WSB on February 11th that the cameras would get a “thorough vetting” before they can be turned on.

The system apparently has been on the drawing boards since long before even the Council discussions last spring; the first version of the camera map shown publicly, displayed to us at Police HQ downtown February 1st and then published on SPD Blotter February 4th, is dated July 2010 – follow the link and note the lower-left corner.

P.S. All WSB coverage on this topic, dating back to when we broke the news about the cameras January 29th, is archived here, newest to oldest.

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West Seattle Junction added to Gigabit Squared demonstration project, says mayor in State of the City

February 19, 2013 3:35 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Announced by Mayor McGinn in his “State of the City” speech this afternoon: The West Seattle Junction area has been added (along with Ballard) to a demonstration project involving a “public/private partnership with the University of Washington and Gigabit Squared to bring next generation high-speed broadband infrastructure to Seattle. … More than 3,300 people have signed up with an interest in using Gigabit Squared services, along with more than 130 businesses and numerous apartment buildings. Gigabit Squared has also secured the funding they need to begin detailed engineering.” More about the company here. Its Neighborhood Gateway program is described as working toward broadband “100 to 1,000 times faster than what Americans have today.” (We will be following up with Gigabit Squared to get West Seattle-specific answers – but they’re headquartered back east so we may not get more info till tomorrow. [added] As commenters note, G2 has a Seattle-specific website.)

P.S. Here’s the prepared text of the mayor’s speech, which includes another West Seattle reference of note: “We’re also working with Sound Transit to accelerate their planning process, including a Ballard to Redmond [rail] line via 520 and a route from downtown to West Seattle.”

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Closures this weekend: Delridge/Trenton intersection and Highway 99

February 19, 2013 2:57 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Never too soon to plan for the weekend ahead. First, we have the detour map for the Delridge/Trenton intersection closure, rescheduled for this coming weekend, 7 pm Friday (February 22) till 6 am Monday (February 25):

Traffic will be detoured as follows, with local access maintained (see attached map):

· Northbound Delridge Way SW to SW Barton Place/Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Thistle Street to Delridge Way SW
· Southbound Delridge Way SW to SW Thistle Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Barton Street/Place to Delridge Way SW
· Westbound SW Trenton Street to 16th Avenue SW to SW Henderson Street to SW Barton Place to 25th Avenue SW to SW Trenton Street
· Eastbound SW Trenton Street to 25th Avenue SW to SW Barton Place to SW Henderson Street to 16th Avenue SW to SW Trenton Street

Evening construction, including pavement removal using impact breakers, may be performed until 10:00 p.m. under the conditions of a noise variance to expedite construction.

Second – We have clarification on the closure plan for Highway 99 this weekend, as traffic is reconfigured for the upcoming “Timber Bridge” work just south of the West Seattle Bridge. WSDOT’s Broch Bender tells WSB that the closure plan outlined on their website is correct:

4:30 am Saturday, Feb. 23 through 5 am Monday, Feb. 25: Southbound SR 99 will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and S. Nevada Street. Northbound SR 99 will be closed between S. Nevada Street and the West Seattle Bridge.

Monday morning, Feb. 25, the overpass reopens with one lane southbound and two lanes northbound. Traffic stays in this configuration through June 2014

Bender says the eastbound bridge exit to northbound 99 WILL be open.

Last but by no means least – EARLY warning: Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is scheduled for an inspection closure all day Saturday, March 2nd. Here’s the full regional roundup of shutdowns.

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Beach Drive boat-woes update: Small boat’s on shore, but what about trimaran debris?

February 19, 2013 12:50 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

The smaller of two boats that have been in trouble for almost a week off the Beach Drive shore is now out of the water. Good Samaritans helped the boats’ owner get the Bayliner off the shore north of Harbor West Condos and onto the trailer. Now, as for what happens to the wreckage of the trimaran just south of the building:

We have spoken this morning to representatives of two state agencies that have gotten involved with the situation to some degree, the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources. Here’s the short version, with more details to come: Ecology was on site over the weekend, helping remove fuel and oil from the power boat – the trimaran, he says, had never held fuel – and adds that there are no more “pollutants” on the trimaran (the owner removed possibly hazardous everyday substances like cleaning fluid). Now, as the Ecology spokesperson told us, it’s more of a “solid-waste issue” than anything else. A DNR spokesperson, meantime, says the fact the broken-up boat is on private property is compounding things – they are determining jurisdiction, but were expecting to have someone come out sometime today and take a look to start sorting things out. The Ecology spokesperson says they always try to recover the cost of these operations from the boats’ owner, but in most cases – as appears to be the case in this one – the owner’s lack of financial resources was a big reason for the trouble in the first place. More to come.

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Congratulations to Bakery Nouveau’s William Leaman: James Beard Award semi-finalist!

February 19, 2013 11:58 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

11:58 AM TUESDAY: It’s the most prestigious award in the food world, and Bakery Nouveau‘s chef/proprietor William Leaman is a semi-finalist in the James Beard Foundation Restaurant/Chef Awards, category – of course – Pastry Chef. The winners will be announced in New York City in May, after the finalists are announced in March.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: We stopped by Bakery Nouveau this morning for a photo of the proud nominee. He says he got the word from his wife, and is most appreciative of the congratulations (and continued patronage) of their loyal customers. He says work’s going well on their expansion location in Capitol Hill and he’s particularly proud of the “Slayer” coffee machine they’re getting – a rare and amazing thing – you can even see how the deal brewed.

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Followup: City Council not likely to talk again about White Center annexation for months

February 19, 2013 11:42 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

(Video from today’s council discussion)
Bottom line to today’s Seattle City Council briefing on possible annexations: While they’re planning to continue to pursue annexing two areas around South Park, now collectively known as “Sliver-Q,” council staffers suggest that even talking about the status of North Highline “Area Y” – including White Center – be put on hold till all that is settled, no sooner than late 2013. Just because Area Y said no to Burien doesn’t mean an automatic “yes” for Seattle, the councilmembers were reminded. Details are on our partner site White Center Now.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Greenway design; crime prevention; real-estate careers; aging forum; avalanche awareness; more

February 19, 2013 10:38 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Machel Spence for the photo from Lincoln Park! Here’s a look at what’s up for the rest of today/tonight

ROXHILL CASTLE HELP: As noted here on Monday, every day this week, the Roxhill Castle turret project – final part of the playground construction – can use help, 10 am-2 pm daily all week. Details here.

DISCOVERY SHOP: From the cancer-fighting nonprofit shop at 4535 California SW in The Junction:

Our popular Antiques, Vintage and Collectibles event starts today with many one of a kind items on display and available. The all volunteer run, non profit American Cancer Society shop is open Sundays 11 am to 3 pm and all other days 10 am to 4:30 pm.

WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING: Noon today at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), the Chamber’s annual lunch meeting has a big agenda including introducing the new Board of Directors, revisiting 2012 successes, and looking ahead to 2013. If you haven’t already made a reservation, call the office to see if there’s room.

TOUR K-5 STEM AT BOREN: Final scheduled tour for the new elementary at 5950 Delridge Way SW, 1 pm.

PRUDENTIAL REAL-ESTATE CAREER NIGHT: Wondering if real estate might be the right career for you? Prudential Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor) is presenting a “Career Night” event at 6 pm tonight at their offices in Jefferson Square, 4700 42nd SW, Suite 600. Details here.

OPEN FORUM ABOUT AGING & FAMILY DYNAMICS: Big topic for so many families, the change in dynamics as they care for aging family members. Come talk about it during an open forum, 6 pm at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).

SAFETY IN THE SNOW: Avalanche awareness is the topic of a free event at Mountain to Sound Outfitters tonight in The Triangle, 6:30 pm, 3602 SW Alaska. Details – and signup link – in our Monday preview.

DELRIDGE GREENWAY DESIGN: 6:30 tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, come to a city-led meeting to find out about the design for the Delridge Greenway, an off-arterial route that would be safer for walking and biking. Find project details here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Tonight’s guest speakers will deal with park safety and victim assistance, as previewed here. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), all welcome.

(added) SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: The announcement for tonight’s 7 pm meeting:

Bring your Green Project Incubator grant ideas to tonight’s Sustainable West Seattle meeting at the Senior Center in Alaska Junction (4217 SW Oregon St. around the corner from California Ave. SW.

At our February Sustainable West Seattle meeting, groups or individuals with a proposal will be asked to present their idea and to interact with the audience describing their idea and the impact that project will have on the community. We will hand out comment cards to everyone for each project and as each presenter gives their idea, we will ask everyone to add a comment or suggestion to their card. At the end of all presentations we will ask the presenters to staff a table where they can further explain their project. The comment cards will be given to the presenters at their tables so that the reaction and additional suggestions can be integrated into their proposal.

We will also have a listing of all the proposals on a white board and will hand out stickers and request that everyone place stickers next to the various projects listed based on their priority. We will use a weighted system so everyone will get about 10 stickers and can distribute them as they wish, e.g. all 10 could be used to support a single project or the stickers could be distributed among several projects.

Nightlife and lots more on the calendar!

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What’s ahead on the roads and underground? South Portal Working Group briefed

February 19, 2013 9:26 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

WIth the south mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct gone and the tunneling to the north about to begin, WSDOT is planning to consolidate the quarterly meetings of its citizen/business advisory groups.

The groups, it should be noticed, are far from perfunctory. The map above – showing the traffic reconfiguration in the works for the about-to-start “timber bridge” project on Highway 99 – is an example of the groups’ value, the result of a recent request by one West Seattle member.

More on that, ahead. First: After gaining some reassurances that their issues won’t be lost in the ensuing shuffle, members of the South Portal Working Group – which has focused on what’s happening and coming up in the West Seattle/SODO areas — agreed that would be OK with them.

That was the final point on the agenda of that group’s most recent meeting, held in the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project headquarters’ 23rd-floor conference room downtown. The group had been meeting in Sound Transit‘s board room, but that location was described as “unavailable … for a while.”

Toplines from the wide-ranging agenda – tolling, tunneling, even RapidRide ridership – ahead, along with the details on the map’s origins and the project launch:

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Back-to-work/school Tuesday

February 19, 2013 6:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(“Live” cam looking at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; more cams here)
It’s back to work and school today – Seattle Public Schools’ newly abbreviated midwinter break is over – with no road closures. However, looking ahead to this weekend, there are closures planned both for the Delridge repaving project – Friday night to Monday morning, the postponed Delridge/Trenton intersection closure – and Highway 99 (we’re doublechecking on what’s listed here).

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West Seattle schools: Sanislo Elementary celebrates books

February 19, 2013 5:58 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just before the 4 1/2-day midwinter break that ends today, Sanislo Elementary celebrated books and reading in a big way. Above, school librarian Craig Seasholes shows us books that were part of a donation from Westwood Village Barnes and Noble – given last Thursday by Sanislo students to their classmates as part of “International Book Giving Day.” It was also Global Reading Challenge day for teams of Sanislo 4th-5th graders:

Beatriz Pascual-Wallace from the South Park branch of the Seattle Public Library, which presents the “quiz bowl”-style GRC, presided as judge as teams answered questions about this year’s 10 books. Team names are among the fun aspects of the Global Reading Challenge – here are the Enchanted Flaming Shadow Pigs:

We’ll be checking today to see who won. Sanislo is one of seven West Seattle elementary schools participating in the Global Reading Challenge again this year, according to the list on the SPL website. The citywide semifinals are the week of March 11th, and the citywide final – always an exciting event in a packed auditorium at the Central Library downtown – is set for 7 pm March 26th.

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